Residents and visitors along Southeastern & Southern Vietnam should closely monitor the progress of PAKHAR (02W).

Do not use this for life or death decision. This advisory is intended for additional information purposes only. Kindly refer to your country's official weather agency for local warnings, advisories & bulletins.

PAKHAR (02W) is expected to continue moving slowly WNW-ward over the next 2 to 3 days. On the forecast track, the core of PAKHAR will make landfall over Southeastern Vietnam (near Phan Thiet) on Sunday morning, April 1st (approx 6-7AM HK Time)...and will weaken rapidly into a Tropical Storm as it traverses the land mass of Southern Vietnam late Sunday. It will be approaching the Vietnamese-Cambodian Border on Monday morning (April 2).

Maximum Sustained Winds (1-min. avg) have increased to near 120 km/hr (65 knots) with higher gusts. Continued strenghening is forecast during the next 2 to 3 days. .

*Please be reminded that the Forecast Outlook changes every 6 hours, and the Day 3 Forecast Track have an average error of 250 km...while the wind speed forecast error, averages 35 kph per day. Therefore, a turn to the left or right of its future track and changes in its wind speed must be anticipated from time to time.

EFFECTS & HAZARDS SUMMARY

Below is the summary of the storm's parts and its hazards affecting specific areas:

DEVELOPING EYE - over water (South China Sea). Possible calm and lull conditions (with <20 kph winds) will be expected inside the eye (click here to know more about the EYE).DEVELOPING EYEWALL - over water (South China Sea). Typhoon Conditions with Typhoon Force Winds (>118 kph) will be expected within this wall (click here to know more about the Eyewall).INNER RAINBANDS - over water (South China Sea)...not yet affecting land areas. Tropical Storm Conditions w/ Strong Winds (62-117 kph) will be expected along these bands. OUTER RAINBANDS - affecting & spreading across Southeastern Vietnam & some portions of Spratly Islands.Cloudy/Rainy Conditions w/ moderate to strong winds (<62 kph) will be expected along these bands (click here to know more about Rainbands).24HR TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATION - from 5 up to 200 mm (low to high rainfall) can be expected along areas affected by the outer & inner rainbands (see above)...with isolated amounts of 201 to 500 mm (high to very high) along areas near the center of PAKHAR (02W). (click to open NOAA's eTRaP graphic).COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING - possible 4-5 ft [1.2-1.7 m] above normal tide levels...accompanied by large and dangerous battering waves can be expected along the coastal, inland lakes and beach front areas of Southern & SE Vietnam beginning Saturday until its projected landfall on Sunday. Minimal damage is likely on this type of storm surge. Danger from Rip Currents or Rip Tides can be expected along the beach-front areas of Spratly Islands & other coastal areas of Vietnam.(click here to know more about Storm Surge).